Bristol City loan out striker Sam Bell to promotion-chasing Grimsby

Bristol City have loaned out young striker Sam Bell to Grimsby Town until the new year with a potential to recall.

The 19-year-old signed a three-year contract with the Robins in April and joins the Mariners in their battle for promotion.

Bell, who made his senior debut for City in December 2020, arrives at Blundell Park in the hope of some vital first-team experience.

It is believed that the Lincolnshire club wanted him to sign earlier in the window but Bell was kept at Bristol as they awaited the return of Antoine Semenyo to provide striking cover for Chris Martin and Nahki Wells.

Explaining the decision to loan him out, assistant manager Curtis Fleming said: “It’s great for him to go and further his career, or get a little bit more experience playing three games a week in the National League.

"It gives him exposure to different levels, we can judge then how well he does at that level to see where we direct him. It’s brilliant for him but he’s got to go and do the business; it’s a manager who’s taken him in to do a job, who’s looking to get the three points.

"He’ll play if he is what he we know he is. He’s a great kid, great guy to work with, absolutely 110 per cent dedicated to football. Hopefully he goes and does really well."

Bell was thrown straight into the starting 11 for his debut as Grimsby fell to a 2-0 defeat to Solihull Moors.

The academy product links up with a familiar face as fellow young City player Ryley Towler is also on loan there and has so far made 12 appearances.

Before joining Grimsby, Bell was in and around the City first-team after impressing in the Under-23’s squad. He has been an unused substitute on six occasions in the Championship, but did come on for a two-minute cameo against Blackpool on the opening day of the season.

City fans will want to see him succeed at Ashton Gate, given he is the son of former player Mickey Bell.

Mickey made over 300 appearances for the club, having joined them in 1997. Bell Snr won promotion with the club to the Championship in 1998 and won the Football League Trophy back in 2003, having been a runner-up in 2000.